Technically it affects both, but the game more heavily bottlenecks on CPU tasking. Throwing a bigger CPU doesn't substantially improve frame rates, unless the CPU is strong in single threaded performance. This makes some of the performance quirks seem counter intuitive; but when you look into it further, its issues stem from "volume of updates" per frame and how the game handles its GPU overhead.

Lowering the model count and limiting LOD on Effects (and/or shadows) has the biggest impact because it reduces the number of things that need to be drawn. But the draw back of this is how the over aggressive culling can't effectively prioritize animations based on "visual importance", since (technically) everything is important combat awareness.

And here I am questioning why isn't there an option to completely DISABLE skill animations and character models from other players that aren't in your party, and simultaneously increase model count for enemies so you're not getting pummeled by 10 Veteran Invisible McGee The Jack-off's.

I see, thanks for the info. I've been curious this whole time about it, i know it affects FPS a lot but, as some higher end guys mention, sometimes the CPU and GPU aren't maxed out but are limited. i actually agree with you XenoSpyro.1780 . That should be added to a later update, would help alot on the FPS outlook. Well, gonna share a video soon, hope it gets edited without glitches, wanted to show what my build could do at 4k resolution. i still feel like some people seem to believe it's a far reach build to make but it's doable. Well, to me 30fps is minimum for a respectable "it can do it" ,lol

Was curious so i can focus on the overclocks on the part that needed it more, as you will see my gpu is always at 100%.

Recently got myself an i7 8700k to upgrade from my i5 3570k. Framerate massively improved. Character model limit and quality on highest, I get 45+ fps in Lion's Arch, 30+ fps in WvW/meta zergfest, and way above 60 fps anywhere else. Before the upgrade I had to set the limit/quality to lowest/low to be able to play at more than 5 fps in zergs.

On the other hand, last year I upgraded my GPU from a GeForce 770 to a 1070, and there was no difference in the framerate.

@Edell.1286 said:
Recently got myself an i7 8700k to upgrade from my i5 3570k. Framerate massively improved. Character model limit and quality on highest, I get 45+ fps in Lion's Arch, 30+ fps in WvW/meta zergfest, and way above 60 fps anywhere else. Before the upgrade I had to set the limit/quality to lowest/low to be able to play at more than 5 fps in zergs.

On the other hand, last year I upgraded my GPU from a GeForce 770 to a 1070, and there was no difference in the framerate.